Target: Carlos Ortuño Yañez, Head of Bolivia’s Ministry of Environment and Water

Goal: Save the Sehuencas water frog from extinction.

Scientists found Romeo, a male Sehuencas water frog in Bolivia, ten years ago and are now trying to raise funds for expeditions to find him a mate. Romeo is the only known frog of his kind in the world. Their population has declined due to climate change, habitat loss, pollution, the introduction of trout (which feed on tadpoles), and an amphibian disease. Furthermore, the Bolivian government is planning to build a dam in the area where these frogs are found.

With the help of scientists and Global Wildlife Conservation, a dating profile was created for Romeo on Match (a dating site) to spread awareness about his endangered status and urge people to donate to his cause. In addition, a fundraising page has been put up with a goal of $15,000 for ten expeditions to help find him a mate; Match will double-match each donation from February 9 until February 14.

If other Sehuencas water frogs are found during the ten planned expeditions, scientists at the Bolivian Amphibian Initiative are certain they can breed them in captivity, bringing their population back up and saving the species from extinction. If the expeditions fail to find members of Romeo’s species, scientists are also in the process of preserving tissue and sperm to explore cloning or artificial fertilization.

The monetary goal is meager compared to what’s at stake. To show your support, please sign the petition below to urge Bolivia’s Ministry of Environment and Water to help fund the expeditions.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Yañez,

Romeo is a rare Sehuencas water frog found in the Bolivian cloud forests ten years ago by scientists. Now, the Bolivian Amphibian Initiative and Global Wildlife Conservation are trying to raise funds for ten expeditions to find him a mate from the same area. Romeo’s kind is hard to find because there are not many of them—their population has declined due to various reasons including climate change, habitat loss, and an amphibian disease. In addition, the ministry’s plans to build a dam for agricultural reasons is posing another threat.

A fundraising effort to raise $15,000 by Valentine’s Day for the expeditions has been launched. Show your support by urging the Ministry of Environment and Water to donate to this cause. With your help, we can spread awareness about Romeo’s kind and save the Sehuencas water frog from extinction.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Dirk Ercken and Arturo Muñoz

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